Former Nigerian military Head of State, retired General Abdulsalami Abubakar has ruled out the possibility of war in Niger Republic between the new military junta and the forces of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
He declared: “hopefully, diplomacy will see the better of this. Nobody wants to go to war. It doesn’t pay anybody, but then again, our leaders have said if all fails, and I don’t think all will fail.
“We will get somewhere. We will get out of this mess.”
General Abdulsalami, spoke today, August 22, while answering questions from newsmen shortly after an audience with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential villa, Abuja. The President is also the chairman of ECOWAS.
General Abdulsalami, who was appointed by ECOWAS Heads of State and Government as an envoy to Niger Republic, recalled his visit to Niger with his team at the weekend, said that they had discussions with the military people for the purpose of finding a way out of “the lacuna we find ourselves.”
He said that he was at the Presidential villa along with the President of the ECOWAS Commission, to give a report back to President Tinubu on their discussions in Niger.
General Abdulsalami said that their visit to Niger was very fruitful, saying: “it has opened an avenue to start talking and hopefully we will get somewhere.”
On the plan by the junta for three year transition, to which ECOWAS had objected, Abdulsalami said that talks are still ongoing.
“They have made their own points and then I made my report to the Chairman of the ECOWAS Heads of state and President.
“He will now consult with his colleagues and then the ding-dong starts and we’ll get somewhere hopefully.”
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